Psalm 18:1,2 (NKJV) I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust. pictures are compliments of God and the scenery around my home.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Let the Gardening Begin

“Oh Lord, take Your plow to my fallowed ground; let Your blade dig down to the soil of my soul; For I’ve become dry and dusty, Lord I know there must be; Richer earth lying below; For I’ve been living in Laodicea; And the fire that once burned bright, I’ve let it grow dim; And the very Word I swore that I would die for all has been forgotten; As the world’s become my friend”Lyrics by Steve Camp “Living in Laodicea”

Reading this quote and looking at my dry and rugged hands from the weekends planting of the garden I see the two coming together with a lesson for me to learn. In order for my garden to produce anything this year it needed to be re-plowed. But we just plowed it last year, that doesn’t seem to make sense. That’s just extra work!

Like it or not the plowing began. Calling in our friend who had the proper equipment to do the task we asked him, “Loren could you come over and plow up the garden area?” Coming to our rescue he loaded up his equipment and did just as we asked. Sure enough the plowing of the garden area brought up new rocks and old weeds that had come to occupy our area of harvest.

How pathetic can we be? We are quick to call someone to plow up our garden in order to start fresh with a newly planted crop but we fail to call on God to do the same with us. Deep down in the soil of our soul is richer ground that needs to be worked, re-planted, and harvested from on a regular basis.

Over the years I’ve seen many a Christians who once shined brightly for Jesus start to go dim. The flame that formerly was there to serve the Lord was forgotten as the world became their friend. To them it was all in the name of, “well God wants me to be happy.”

We need to learn to recognize what lights the light and keeps it going. Our love for Jesus, our desire to serve and please Him is the match that lights the flame. It’s not “whatever makes ME happy.” But it doesn’t stop there. We need to keep the flame going like the trick candles you can buy for a birthday cake that can’t be blown out. We need to make the decision in our life that we are going to be that kind of candle for Jesus, one that Satan can’t snuff out no matter how hard he tries.

The way to accomplish this is through asking God into our lives frequently to plow up the old ground of our hearts and replace it with richer soil. Richness that comes from watering ourselves well using God’s love, His wisdom, strength, and guidance via His word in order that we will never dry up.

As we keep an eye out on our garden, yard, or flowers we need to keep an eye out on our spiritual hearts. Is it dry? Does it need more of the Living Water from Jesus? What nutrients can I add to make the soil of my soul richer in Spirit for Jesus? It comes down to just what kind of harvest we want. We get to pick and as we put all sorts of thoughts into what we want to grow in our garden let us do even more of the same regarding our Spiritual garden. Once we make that decision for Jesus, let the gardening begin!

Mary when she returned to the tomb after the crucifixion thought who she saw was the gardener but it turned out to be the resurrected Jesus. If you think about it Jesus is the gardener that wants to show up in our hearts if we would just call Him up like my husband and I did with Loren and say, “Can you come and plow up the garden of our hearts today?” It’s from there…. once again…. that the gardening begins!

Our host this day is none other than Miriam over at her blog, Miriam Pauline’s Monologue. As Bob Barker always said, “Come on down” and share in the fun of reading, writing, and commenting on today’s quote.

Great word picture with the plowing of the garden. When we see the parched ground on top, we sometimes forget that there is rich soil below just waiting to be churned up. May God dig deep in our hearts so the growth can continue.

Great word picture with the plowing of the garden. When we see the parched ground on top, we sometimes forget that there is rich soil below just waiting to be churned up. May God dig deep in our hearts so the growth can continue.

My newest contribution October 2011

The excitement continues as I get to be a part of another great book called "Love is a Verb"

Karen

Another sunny day in Oregon

W.I.T.H.

Women in the House of God

W.I.T.H. Women in the House Ministry bible studies can be seen now over at withministry.wordpress.com. I'm still getting the Bible studies added to the site but they will be there for those who would like to follow along. It's been a fun adventure and one of great learning as we walk our way through God's Word and the lessons He has for us to learn.

Our Chronological study is going well. We have managed to make our way up thru the books of Samuel, King, and Chronicles. Its been an interesting study as we look for lessons we can learn from our Bible Buddies and apply them to our own lives.